On Tuesday, a fire broke out at an apartment complex at Westview Drive and Gessner Road in Spring Branch.
In May, ABC13 covered a fire and has reported on them over the last four years. Here's the thing, the units were abandoned during that time.
"It hasn't been taken care of, and they just let people squat in there," neighbor Pat Sims said. "It is what it is."
Hours before the latest fire, Council Member Amy Peck announced the city had purchased the property. She said it'll be torn down, and turned into police and fire stations.
They also plan to do flood mitigation projects.
"It could be where there's a detention basin," Peck explained. "It could be underground as well. The best solution for that is being worked out right now."
Peck said it will be years from completion. First, she said the plan is to tear it down.
However, Peck told ABC13 that it may not happen until April. Eyewitness News asked her why.
"If it was up to me, we would've torn it down yesterday, but we have to look at environmental factors that they are working through right now to make that demolition happen," Peck explained.
Here's how Peck says this was able to happen. She said the redevelopment board, which collects taxpayer money in the Spring Branch area, used more than $18 million in taxpayer funds last month to buy the property.
The board was set to end in four years. However, Peck said because of the large purchase, it'll continue to keep collecting taxpayer money to be used only in the area through 2039.
It's not just taxpayer money from the Spring Branch area going to the project. Peck said all city taxpayers will cover the $2 million demolition costs.
Peck says it is an action that may not happen for six months. She said the board is doing environmental studies now, and hopes the city will expedite the permit process.
"It's going to be a while," Peck explained. "This is a long-term plan. Flooding mitigation is our first priority for our community, but we are working on all of that. Hopefully, sooner rather than later."
Peck said they're also taking steps to make the new city property safer. They plan to patch fence holes and have HPD and private security monitor the area.
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